Destiny, C’18

Destiny, C’18 didn’t grow-up thinking that she would attend an Ivy League school. “Even just five years ago, sitting in my high school in Camden, New Jersey, I never imagined that I would be here today, just a few weeks away from graduating from one of the most prestigious universities in the world, just a couple tests away from closing one of the most fortunate and adventurous chapters of my life, and giving a speech to some of the people who made it all possible.”

“My mom will tell you that she is not surprised at all and that she always knew I was destined for greatness. She claimed this destiny the moment she named me.”

Circumstances and statistics in Destiny’s hometown would not predict that she would come to and succeed at a place like Penn – violence and drug addiction plague the city and the high school graduation rate is the lowest in the state. Although Penn is a mere 15 minute drive from Camden, Destiny had no idea what an Ivy League school was when she was growing up.

“Even just five years ago, sitting in my high school in Camden, New Jersey, I never imagined that I would be here today, just a few weeks away from graduating from one of the most prestigious universities in the world, just a couple tests away from closing one of the most fortunate and adventurous chapters of my life, and giving a speech to some of the people who made it all possible.”

Destiny earned her place at Penn through her incredible talent and hard work, but her transition to the University was not always an easy journey. While Destiny immersed herself in her academics and various campus communities, leaving the country for the first time two years ago helped Destiny to truly define who she is and have become a highlight of her time at the University. She interned at an orphanage and at the U.S. Embassy in Nepal and studied abroad in Australia. “These were the first times I truly lived on my own, too far to have the support from my family that I was used to. I learned responsibility, accountability, and in Australia, how to surf. If it were not for my support systems at Penn and from my family, I would not have had the bravery to pursue these unfamiliar experiences. I would have let the fear of failure stop me from trying something new.”

In the footsteps of Quakers before her, Destiny plans to use everything she has gained from Penn to go out and have a positive impact in communities. “As I conclude my time at Penn, I am proud to say that I will be teaching Secondary English in the Teach for America Baltimore Corps and I am on the path to a career in education administration. I plan to use my experiences to renovate Camden’s education system, and revamp its graduation rate. I want to show the youth in my home city that education is the most valuable tool to mobilize their lives.”

There is no doubt that it is her destiny to achieve all of this, and even much more.